Multi-image apparel

ABSTRACT

A multiple image garment is provided having the overall design of a conventional jacket or sports jersey having up to five different images supported thereon. The images are printed using dye-sublimation onto the synthetic fabric material forming the jacket or jersey. Each image is that of a different team member or athlete.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to apparel having licensed team logos or other images and, more particularly, to an apparel design embodying multiple team images.

2. Description of the Related Art

As is readily commercially available, there exists a plethora of wearing apparel donning images or other. It is anticipated that such references are intended to outwardly communicate loyalty toward a particular team or a particular athlete. Such licensed designs exists for all professional sports teams as well as many of the major college programs.

However, to date such licensed apparel has been substantially limited to simple images and singular designs. It appears that the common reason for both is that image transfer technology onto apparel has limitations. Traditional “jersey” type clothing is generally made of synthetic fabrics. However, ink transfer, image wear and image retention can be limited when applied to synthetic fabrics. As such, there has been little motivation to develop an expensive and complex apparel line having intricate and multiple licensed images when such an article would quickly fade or otherwise lose its visual complexity.

A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,916,765, issued in the name of Yock, discloses a consumer product package and method of manufacture.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,696,390, issued in the name of Hatada et al., discloses an image transfer sheet, method for forming image on the image transfer sheet and image transfer method using the image transfer sheet.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,103,042, issued in the name of Hatada et al., discloses an image transfer sheet and image transfer method using the same.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,058,644, issued in the name of DeVries et al, discloses a sublimation transfer and method.

U.S. Pat. No. D513,110, issued in the name of Vassell, discloses an ornamental design for a picture jersey.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,258, issued in the name of Wilson, discloses a headgear for sports fans.

While many of these and other devices incorporate images and apparel in combination, none incorporate the teachings if the current invention to provide an apparatus and method for an apparel design embodying multiple or collage type images.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved souvenir apparel design.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved apparel design providing a means and method of incorporating multiple sports figures.

Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a multiple image garment is provided having the overall design of conventional apparel, such as an athletic jersey, jackets or the like. Either the garment front and/or the garment back support an indicia support surface, with at least a first indicia and a second indicia supported thereon. It is anticipated that the indicias are applied using a dye or d ink sublimation technology. Dye sublimation is a printing process that uses the process of sublimation to print full-color images onto a substrate, in this case, an apparel article of synthetic fabric. A small heater is used to vaporize the solid dye material, which then solidifies upon the substrate. In this fashion, extremely fine control of the primary color ratios can be achieved to obtain a good quality picture even with relatively low printer resolution. Additionally, an overcoating is applied with provides a thin laminate which protects the print from discoloration from UV light and the air while also rendering the print water resistant.

An advantage of the present invention is that a unique apparel article is created having a visual impression unlike those currently available.

Another advantage of the present invention is that multiple images can be applied to a single apparel element.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that image colors can be laid on top of each other, combining to produce very many different shades which can lead to a complex, intricate image.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that a coating can be applied to delay or prevent fading of the applied image.

It is anticipated that the preferred embodiment would allow for a display of between two to five images on the front or rear of a jersey or jacket. With free agency and turnover in the personnel of any particular sports teams, a collage of images or a multi-person image may quickly become a unique element that is capable of being a personal collectors item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a multi-image garment according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a multi-image garment according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a multi-image garment according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures.

1. Detailed Description of the Figures

Referring now to FIG. 1-2, a multi-image garment 10 is shown according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in an exemplary form utilizing the overall design of a conventional jacket having a front 12 opposite a back 14. A pair of sleeves 18 are also anticipated as being formed between the front 12 and back 14. Either the front 12 and/or the back 14 support an image support substrate 20, with a first image 30 and a second image 32 supported thereon. It is anticipated that the first image 30 and the second image 32 are placed adjacent and abutted together, with the first image 30 being directed toward a different team member than the second image 32. Additionally, it is anticipated that a third image 34 and a fourth image 36 are additionally supported on the substrate 20 and being directed toward a different team member than the first or second images 31, 32.

Referring to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in which a jacket forms a unique souvenir in the form of a personal collectors item. It is anticipated that, although a jacket is used to support the substrate 20, one skilled in the art could easily substitute any form of apparel within the teachings of the present invention.

2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, preferred and alternate embodiments are made by a dye sublimation printing process that uses the process of sublimation to print full-color images onto the substrate 20. The substrate 20 is an apparel article of synthetic fabric. A small heater is used to vaporize the solid dye material, which then solidifies upon the substrate 20. Additionally, an overcoating is applied with provides a thin laminate which protects the print from discoloration from UV light and the air while also rendering the print water resistant. It is anticipated that, although a fabric apparel is used to support the substrate 20, one skilled in the art could easily substitute other forms of premiums or novelty items, such as mugs, cups, pennants, “foam fingers”, or other souvenirs within the teachings of the present invention.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims. 

1. In an apparel article having a front opposite a back and a pair of sleeves formed between the front and back, the improvement comprising: an image support surface upon said shirt front forming a substrate; a first image, and at least a second image; wherein said first image and said second image are dye sublimated onto said substrate and abutted together on said image support surface.
 2. In the apparel article of claim 1, wherein said the first image is directed toward a different athletic team member than said second image.
 3. In the apparel article of claim 2, further comprising a third image.
 4. In the apparel article of claim 3, further comprising a fourth image.
 5. In the apparel article of claim 4, wherein said the third image is directed toward a different team athlete than said fourth image.
 6. In the apparel article of claim 3, further comprising a fifth image.
 7. In the apparel article of claim 6, wherein said the fourth third image is directed toward a different team athlete than a fifth image.
 8. In the apparel article of claim 1, wherein the apparel article is selected from the group comprising: shirts, jackets, and jerseys.
 9. In the apparel article of claim 1, wherein said substrate is formed of a synthetic fabric.
 10. An athletic souvenir article comprising: an image support surface upon a substrate; a first image, and at least a second image; wherein said first image and said second image are dye sublimated onto said substrate and abutted together on said image support surface. In the apparel article of claim 1, wherein said the first image is directed toward a different athletic team member than said second image.
 11. The athletic souvenir of claim 10, further comprising a third image.
 12. The athletic souvenir of claim 11, further comprising a fourth image.
 13. The athletic souvenir of claim 12, wherein said the third image is directed toward a different team athlete than said fourth image.
 14. The athletic souvenir of claim 12, further comprising a fifth image.
 15. The athletic souvenir of claim 14, wherein said the fourth third image is directed toward a different team athlete than a fifth image. 